10 Things to Talk About This Weekend

A 99-pack and nine other nuggets of conversational fodder.

1. Ceasefire holds in GazaFollowing a punishing five weeks of fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, a month-long ceasefire signed on Tuesday seems to have brought an end to the war, if not actually resolved the longstanding conflict. The death toll: 70 Israelis—most of them soldiers—and more than 2,100 Palestinians—most of them civilians. It’s time to figure this out, guys. [The Economist]

2. VMAs bow down to Beyoncé; Emmys play it safeSunday and Monday were an awards-show-apalooza as the Emmy Awards followed hot on the heels of the MTV Video Music Awards. Nobody really remembers who won anything at the VMAs, just that Queen B totally owned the night. Meanwhile, the prestigious primetime TV awards went to pretty much the exact same people they went to last year. Snore. Now, who do we talk to about getting Billy Eichner in as next year’s host? [CBS News, NPR]

3. Ukraine claims Russian invasion, Putin ripostesThe Ukrainian government has accused Russia of bringing troops across the border to aid separatist factions, effectively invading the country. Russian prez Vladimir Putin has responded by likening Ukrainian forces to the Nazis, and hinted at a future showdown in the Arctic over resources—because apparently, he is auditioning for the role of a Superman villain. [TheGuardian]

4. Austin Beerworks debuts the 99-packOne guess which state of in the Union would be the one to sell a case of beer so large, it takes at least two big dudes to carry it. Yep, you got it. For a limited time, Texas’s Austin Beerworks is selling 99-packs of its Peacemaker Anytime Ale for 99 bucks. One catch: You can only buy these seven-foot-long bad boys within Austin city limits. Road trip, anyone? [Newsday]

5. Volcano erupts in Papua New GuineaActive volcano Mount Tavurvur, which last went off in 2006, erupted today on the island of New Britain, releasing millions of tons of ash into the atmosphere. Residents of the nearby town of Rabaul have been told to stay in their homes, and flights have been rerouted throughout the region. [The Washington Post]

6. Cat Pizza Hut ads take off in JapanLatching onto the Internet’s love of all things feline, Pizza Hut Japan has unveiled a video campaign called “Pizza Cat!” that features cats dressed as employees working at an all-furball Pizza Hut. And by “working,” we mean chasing toy delivery trucks, sleeping, riding on Roombas, and looking very, very put out. That can’t be sanitary… [FOODBEAST]

7. Bob Dylan’s complete Basement Tapes to be releasedAfter nearly half a century of bootlegs getting circulated among hard-core fans, a six-CD set of Dylan and the Band’s legendary Basement Tapes will hit shelves in November. The 138 tracks will feature 30 never-before-heard cuts, including rocker “Wild Wolf” and a countryed-up “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Took you long enough, Bob! [Rolling Stone]

8. NASA approves manned Mars rocket planAfter years of bummer news about sending humans to space, finally some progress: NASA has officially decided to go ahead with a heavy-lift rocket design intended to fly real live people to the Red Planet. Unmanned test flights of the Space Launch System (SLS) are set to begin in 2018. Better wipe the cobwebs off that spacesuit, Major Tom. [Smithsonian]

9. Ferguson police hit with civil rights lawsuitSix Missourians have taken up a federal lawsuit against the local and county police forces in Ferguson, citing unnecessary use of force and unlawful arrests. Claimants include a woman and her son arrested inside a McDonald’s, and two peaceful protesters hit with rubber bullets and tear gas. We’ve got a feeling this is only the tip of the iceberg. [Los Angeles Times]

10. Seven years later, Sopranos showrunner reveals the fate of TonyCall it Schrödinger’s Mob Boss. In what has gone down as the most infamous TV finale of all time, David Chase ended The Sopranoswith a blackout and the fate of its protagonist up in the air. In an interview released earlier this week, the series creator spilled the beans: Tony lives! He’s since claimed it’s more complicated than that, and it’s a “spiritual question.” But hey, we’ll take it. [Time]